Alpine Valley '03

yellowled81yellowled81 Posts: 96
edited May 2011 in The Porch
Just reliving the '03 show at Alpine Valley. Haven't listened to the bootleg in ages. CLASSIC Ed speech before the second encore. Ed mentioned coming back to Alpine the next summer. Well... 8 summers later and they are finally back. Probably my fav PJ show out of the 15 (or so) times I've seen them. Hopefully PJ20 lives up to this...


06/21/03 – Alpine Valley Music Center: East Troy, WI
attendance: 22,000
support act: Buzzcocks
soundcheck: Rival (1 partial; 1 complete), Smile, Leaving Here, Soldier Of Love, Evacuation (slower version), Once (partial), Romanza (Ed on acoustic), You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away (ending, 2X)
set: Sometimes, Corduroy, Green Disease, Save You, Gods’ Dice, Faithfull, Immortality, Love Boat Captain, Insignificance, Deep, I Believe In Miracles, You Are, Better Man/(Why Can’t I Touch It?), Jeremy, Even Flow, Daughter, Rearviewmirror
enc 1: Go, Animal, Elderly Woman, Glorified G, Bushleaguer, Do The Evolution
enc 2: You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away (Ed solo), Breath, Crazy Mary, Know Your Rights, Fortunate Son, Baba O’Riley
enc 3: Yellow Ledbetter/(Little Wing)
notes: PJ takes the stage early (while it is still light) to a deafening ovation. Jeff has the standup bass out and the whole fan club section goes wild as soon as Ed hits the first note of ‘Sometimes.’ After ‘Immortality,’ Ed greets the crowd and recalls how cold it was last time they played Alpine, and how that crowd must be the “toughest audience in rock and roll history.” “We made a pact after the show never to play that fucking place again.” He jokes about the smoke and introduces Boom as coming from the land of the best smoke, leading to ‘LBC.’ During the break in the middle of ‘Insignificance’, the band stops but Mike keeps playing. He holds his hand up, laughing, as if to say “Yes, that was me that fucked up.” ‘I Believe In Miracles’ is dedicated to Johnny Ramone. ‘Jeremy’ (introduced as “Here’s a new one for you”) and ‘Even Flow’ are both loaded with energy. Soothing ‘Daughter’ tag: “Hush my baby, don’t you cry. Sing yourself your own lullaby. Hush my angel, go to sleep. You have your own soul to keep.” On returning for the encore Ed says they can’t go yet as it just got dark. ‘Go’ and ‘Animal’ keep the crowd frenzied. Ed says they want to make sure the show is longer than the drive for those who came from Chicago and anywhere else while ‘Elderly Woman’ is for those who didn’t have to drive far. Ed holds back the band and has them repeat the final “hearts and thoughts” to let the crowd continue singing along. Introduced as the “president’s favorite song,” ‘Glorified G’ is a big crowd pleaser and has modified lyrics: “Got an army; in fact I’ve got two. That’s OK man ’cause I love money. He reminds people about voting and to “stand up and be counted,” leading to ‘DTE,’ which includes “Admire me, admire my home, admire my son, he looks like Stone.” To quell the screams when Ed returns for the second encore wearing the silver jacket, he says, “Don’t be seduced by the jacket,” and he tells about getting the jacket from The Frogs. He begins speaking about voting and being active and goes off on a big tirade:
“Power to the people man…. The real people, the people that work, not the people that sit in their towers, and try to run the whole thing, thinking that we’re too stupid to notice what they’re doing! They get us in our little holes, and our boxes, and our cages and they show us American Idol and American Gladiators and American …. blowjob, buttfuck, whatever. And everyone watches with baited breath. Oh, who’s going to get a blowjob tonight? What American’s going to get a blowjob tonight? When in reality, you could be getting one yourself instead of watching the fucking TV, I don’t know. I digress. I’m going to get a guitar. But we were just talking in the back, and we were thinking that maybe uh, on the strength of a night like this, and uh, really, uh, so you understand how much we appreciate it, we were thinking that instead of uh, waiting 2 years or even, uh, after we finish the next record, maybe just next summer, we could come back and play, just a few places that we’ve been to and this would be one of them. And hopefully even in a year, the world will be a little more straightened out.”
Then he talks about how his Uncle’s friend and how Ed used to steal his Beatles’ records and sometimes kept them, He taught Ed how to cuss at age 4 and he dedicates ‘You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away’ to him saying, “Thanks, you did a great fuckin’ job.” Just before Boom’s ‘Crazy Mary’ solo, a big, drunk guy makes it onstage with security hot on his heels. Ed calmly shoos away security and lets the guy mumble a couple of things (including “God bless Eddie Vedder”) into the mic and Ed he dances a bit with the man, then spins him off into the arms of the security. The the conclusion, he says “Boom Gaspar,” to big cheers, “and some drunk idiot!” which gets laughs from crowd, band, and crew. Kerry Wood from the Cubs was there and Ed got mixed up and thought it was him for a second and Ed goes to Kerry’s side of the stage and laughs with him. With the house lights up, ‘Baba’ seems to be the show closer with Ed tossing tambourines to Kerry Wood and others, but after Ed says the goodnights, Mike stays onstage with guitar leading to a brief huddle and the ‘YL’ close, Mike adding a nice ‘Little Wing’ tag. Great intensity, beautiful night, awesome crowd with Ed obviously feeling better and the band rested, ready to play and having fun after a two-day break.
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Made of StarsMade of Stars Milwaukee, WI Posts: 185
    I was at that show too. It is my favorite show ever (or at least until PJ20). I took a friend that was not too familiar with PJ at the time and she asked me during Corduroy why the band onstage was covering a PJ song at a PJ show? I love her dearly but she will NOT be getting one of my PJ 20 tickets :lol::lol:
    Be kind whenever possible.
    It is always possible.
  • donnystancatodonnystancato Posts: 160
    I was there 2, great show.




    Kerry Wood :lol::lol::lol::lol:
    those bold boys,and there beautiful boats
  • GodOfPearlJamGodOfPearlJam Gurnee, IL Posts: 48
    This si still my all time favorite show still. Such a great set. 2003 was my first ever Pearl Jam Road Trip when I saw them up in St. Paul, then back in Chicago, and then up to Alpine. I took my brother to his first Pearl Jam show for Alpine 2003 and turned him into a fan as well! I will be taking him to one of the Alpine shows this year. He will enjoy it!
  • JB109352JB109352 Posts: 45
    Had seen them three time previous but was my first show with actual seats. My wife & I had just got married & I still remember it being the perfect day. Woke up a bit late camping. Burned one & hung out @ the campground, played some frisbee and just killed time till the afternoon. Tailgated in the parking lot, drank but maintained a nice buzz without going too far. Went into the show and by that time the weather was perfect. My oldest son was conceived that weekend ;) They haven't been back for a full show in WI since then. Can't wait til PJ20 :P
  • SVRDhand13SVRDhand13 Posts: 26,962
    Last time they soundchecked Soldier Of Love. Hope they actually play it during the set this time.
    severed hand thirteen
    2006: Gorge 7/23 2008: Hartford 6/27 Beacon 7/1 2009: Spectrum 10/30-31
    2010: Newark 5/18 MSG 5/20-21 2011: PJ20 9/3-4 2012: Made In America 9/2
    2013: Brooklyn 10/18-19 Philly 10/21-22 Hartford 10/25 2014: ACL10/12
    2015: NYC 9/23 2016: Tampa 4/11 Philly 4/28-29 MSG 5/1-2 Fenway 8/5+8/7
    2017: RRHoF 4/7   2018: Fenway 9/2+9/4   2021: Sea Hear Now 9/18 
    2022: MSG 9/11  2024: MSG 9/3-4 Philly 9/7+9/9 Fenway 9/15+9/17
    2025: Pittsburgh 5/16+5/18
  • letsongsprotestletsongsprotest Novi, MI Posts: 552
    Was there as well. Best show i've ever been too.

    The venue was incredible as well.
    There's a trapdoor in the sun.
  • skintowinskintowin Posts: 3
    I was there as well. Does anyone remember when that knucklehead "fan" got on stage and Ed slow danced with him?
  • JB109352JB109352 Posts: 45
    skintowin wrote:
    I was there as well. Does anyone remember when that knucklehead "fan" got on stage and Ed slow danced with him?
    :lol: Yep
  • ahill721ahill721 Posts: 2,071
    JB109352 wrote:
    skintowin wrote:
    I was there as well. Does anyone remember when that knucklehead "fan" got on stage and Ed slow danced with him?
    :lol: Yep
    Hence the Kerry wood reference earlier. This was my favorite PJ show until I attended 5-17-06, that is my favorite!! The set was great... Ed's talk about blow jobs... Before Hide your Love was so funny.
  • SVRDhand13SVRDhand13 Posts: 26,962
    The venue was incredible as well.

    How so? I would love for this board to be filled with more positive posts about Alpine.
    severed hand thirteen
    2006: Gorge 7/23 2008: Hartford 6/27 Beacon 7/1 2009: Spectrum 10/30-31
    2010: Newark 5/18 MSG 5/20-21 2011: PJ20 9/3-4 2012: Made In America 9/2
    2013: Brooklyn 10/18-19 Philly 10/21-22 Hartford 10/25 2014: ACL10/12
    2015: NYC 9/23 2016: Tampa 4/11 Philly 4/28-29 MSG 5/1-2 Fenway 8/5+8/7
    2017: RRHoF 4/7   2018: Fenway 9/2+9/4   2021: Sea Hear Now 9/18 
    2022: MSG 9/11  2024: MSG 9/3-4 Philly 9/7+9/9 Fenway 9/15+9/17
    2025: Pittsburgh 5/16+5/18
  • The AkkusThe Akkus Posts: 1,095
    Was also their. Listened to the show on a long drive today. Greatest show i have ever seen.
    1998 - Noblesville * Knoxville
    2000 - Noblesville * Cincinnati * Columbus
    2003 - Lexington * East Troy * Noblesville* Columbus
    2006 - Cincinnati
    2008 - NYC night 1 * NYC night 2
    2009 - EV Solo Nashville
    2010 - Columbus * Noblesville * Cleveland
    2011 - East Troy night 1 * East Troy night 2
    2014 - Cincinnati
    2016 - Greenville * Lexington
    2022 - Louisville
    2024 - Noblesville
  • evenflow82evenflow82 Posts: 3,892
    I was there and remember it so fondly. I was rockin' out so much I lost my Twins cap. :-)

    I love how you can hear us banging on the seats in front of us and convincing them to play Yellow Ledbetter.

    While walking up the hill I yelled a big "whoo hoooooo!!!!" I also remember someone setting off fireworks (not the sparklers or anything) in the parking lot afterward. So much for that "no fireworks" rule. 8-)
    I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell.
    -Christopher Walken

    you're=you are
    your=showing ownership

    The truth has a well known liberal bias.
    -Stephen Colbert
  • EEEDEC04EEEDEC04 Midwest Posts: 118
    I remember that show. These posts are spot on.
  • realmgeorgerealmgeorge Posts: 309
    Was there.... The Encores were pretty killer....

    Are there videos ANYWHERE of this show/!?!?!??!
    and love, what a different life had I not had this love with you.
  • pearljamdude420pearljamdude420 Posts: 1,380
    i was there great show one of my favorite on riot act tour. however not sure this is a good venue for pj20, i saw pj 13 times that tour and alpine was the earliest they came out to play

    PJ takes the stage early (while it is still light) to a deafening ovation


    ummmmm i think state police and curfew are anal maybe in that venue??????????? i just cant see pj playing till 2 or 3am, and when this festival was announced i was hoping they pick a venue, that would not have curfew and can play whenver they want to and how long they want to. this is a weird place for a festival if you ask me, there is not even any on site camping. seems more like 2 pj shows with a bunch of opening acts than a festival to me???????
  • Jeremys SpokenJeremys Spoken Posts: 7,578
    i was there great show one of my favorite on riot act tour. however not sure this is a good venue for pj20, i saw pj 13 times that tour and alpine was the earliest they came out to play

    PJ takes the stage early (while it is still light) to a deafening ovation


    ummmmm i think state police and curfew are anal maybe in that venue??????????? i just cant see pj playing till 2 or 3am, and when this festival was announced i was hoping they pick a venue, that would not have curfew and can play whenver they want to and how long they want to. this is a weird place for a festival if you ask me, there is not even any on site camping. seems more like 2 pj shows with a bunch of opening acts than a festival to me???????
    That's because this is not a festival.

    It was never billed as a festival.
    2008 - MSG 6/24-6/25
    2010 - Newark 5/18 MSG 5/21
    2011 - PJ20 9/3-9/4
    2012 - MIA Festival 9/2
    2013 - Wrigley Field 7/19 Brooklyn 10/18-10/19 Philly 10/22
    2015 - Colbert show - 9/23 Global Citizens Festival 9/26
    2016 - Philly 4/28-4/29 MSG 5/1-5/2



  • pandorapandora Posts: 21,855
    I was there also fond memories of one of my most favorite concerts

    but the fondest memory was the reunion in Milwaukee with my sisters to celebrate birthdays.

    It would be the last time I would hug my eldest sister before she left this world...
    she was the brick in our family only to crumble. She did not share with us her cancer had returned.

    I am very thankful to have this memory and time spent with my three sisters....
    like we were kids again

    Always seems ....PJ is the timeline of my life
  • pearljamdude420pearljamdude420 Posts: 1,380
    i was there great show one of my favorite on riot act tour. however not sure this is a good venue for pj20, i saw pj 13 times that tour and alpine was the earliest they came out to play

    PJ takes the stage early (while it is still light) to a deafening ovation


    ummmmm i think state police and curfew are anal maybe in that venue??????????? i just cant see pj playing till 2 or 3am, and when this festival was announced i was hoping they pick a venue, that would not have curfew and can play whenver they want to and how long they want to. this is a weird place for a festival if you ask me, there is not even any on site camping. seems more like 2 pj shows with a bunch of opening acts than a festival to me???????
    That's because this is not a festival.

    It was never billed as a festival.
    ok i thought it was being touted as a festival like the dmb caravan type of thing , if you want to compare. that what i thought it be like a 2 or 3 day festival with possible camping and stuff, and no curfew, then pj can go onstage at 1am and play till 5am if they wanted :D
    out of all riot act tour alpine was the earliest time they come out of all the shows i went on that tour, they playe a long set, but i think they came out so early, i am mistaken this show did not end at 1130pm but 10pm last time, cause they took the stage just after 8pm, it was so early they came out i remember that. wonder if alpine has a strict curfew , and that why they came out so early last time?
  • pearljamdude420pearljamdude420 Posts: 1,380
    it was a long time ago, but i remember sun was still up a little and stil had not set when they came out i think it was wide daylight, i was pretty blitzed i dont remember much except next to state college maybe ite was the best show i saw that riot act tour
  • pearljamdude420pearljamdude420 Posts: 1,380
    and dont know why people bitch about the parking lot, if you come really early which we did, you can park near the top of the lot near the highway road, sure you will have to walk the whole fuckin huge ass lot to the inside of the venue, but it probably saved us a good hour getting out of the lot. it took i dont know 10 mins max maybe to walk from the 10c seats to the car where we parked, alot of people got to there cars before we did, but cause we parked at the top of the lot once we got in our car, we were able to fuckin get outta the lot within 10 mins ish i remember it was super quick, we were all like fuck ya we picked a good parking spot. it was great watching all the cars behind up not going anywhere. :lol:

    come early and get a good parking spot
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